With 11:01 remaining in the third quarter, MSU got the spark it was looking for — an 83-yard punt return by senior wide receiver Omari Kelly, who weaved through Penguin defenders before finally being brought down at the 4-yard line. Taking advantage of the prime field position, the Spartans scored on a 4-yard touchdown run by sophomore running back Brandon Tullis, extending their lead to 24–10.

On the following possession, MSU struck again, this time through the air. With the pocket closing in, large enemy bodies inching closer junior quarterback Aidan Chiles threw a tight, accurate ball to a wide open junior tight end Michael Masunas for a 28-yard touchdown. 

It was at this point – with a 31-10 lead against an FCS school – where MSU should have completed this desire and pulled away completely, but the pendulum of momentum never swung. Instead, Youngstown State fought and clawed, making MSU earn every score, every tackle, every yard. The Penguins offense, led by agile and composed junior quarterback Beau Brungard, moved like an FBS program and compiled 339 total yards on the day.

Brungard accounted for the majority of his team's offense, finishing 24-of-34 for 242 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. His top targets were senior wide receiver Max Tomczak and junior running back Jaden Gilbert, who each hauled in 11 receptions for a combined 136 yards. Gilbert also made an impact on the ground, rushing just seven times for 72 yards and a touchdown.

“Communication kind of lacked today,” junior linebacker Jordan Hall said. “Especially on some of the big plays, which again is something that has to be and will be cleaned up going into next week.”

The Penguins defense also supplied a challenge to a Spartan offense that struggled at certain points in the game. Physical and fundamental, Youngstown State defenders were able to slow down plays, close gaps and accumulate pressure, and were rewarded by an interception because of it. 

Against this defense that proved to be tough, Chiles would finish going 22-for-29 with 270 yards and one touchdown with one interception. On the ground, he carried the ball eight times for 76 yards.  

Though credited with a victory, this game wasn’t all sunshine and roses. It was filled with mistakes, missed assignments and lethargic performances that’ll prove costly against any Big Ten program. 

“I think we have more to us,” MSU head coach Jonathan Smith said. “It starts with myself and this staff and our preparation. I don’t want to take anything away from Youngstown, I think Youngstown is gonna win some games, but I would have loved to just have played a little cleaner.”

The issues started in the rushing attack. Though finishing the game with 174 total yards on the ground, there were obvious problems that persisted, mainly up front with the offensive line. There was no push, too many stalemates and missed assignments that led to havoc in the backfield and Spartan running backs forced to take an alternate route – one that usually only resulted in the gain of only a few yards. 

In games down the road where defenses will be better and more experienced in Big Ten play, MSU’s offensive line and running backs must be more efficient. 

Then there were the issues in the secondary — a familiar frustration for any Michigan State fan. Until something changes, it’s a problem that won’t go away. The MSU back end was picked apart by an offense better known for running the football. A lack of pass rush, miscommunications that left receivers wide open, and glaring holes in coverage all contributed to the defensive struggles.

For there to be any hope at a 4-0 start, the secondary must be better. 

“They did a lot of things schematically that took us some time to get used to,” Hall said. “Overall, there’s a lot of room to improve, especially on the defensive side of the ball, things that we’re gonna need to improve looking on to week four at USC.” 

With Youngstown State out of the way after a 41-24 victory, MSU will begin Big Ten play as it travels to USC on Saturday the 20th to play in a 11 p.m. battle in the LA Memorial Coliseum.